Humectants - Why You Need Them Now That The Weather Is Warming

by Michelle Howard

Ever wonder what ingredient in your moisturizer causes the moisture to absorb and soften the skin?

There are certain ingredients called humectants that absorb water from the air and help your skin to retain the moisture.  If you have very scaly or thick skin like people who have eczema, you'll want to use a product that contains humectants during the warm months of the year.  The reason is humectants require high levels of humidity to be most effective.

So what should you look for on the label of your moisturizer?  Of course you won't see the word "humectants" on the label but there are other ingredients to look for that are humectants: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), urea, vegetable glycerin, panthenol, vitamin E, collagen, elastin, and aloe vera.

There are natural and synthetic humectants so not all humectants are good for your skin.  Some of synthetic humectants to avoid are: propylene glycol, propanediol, and non-vegetable glycerin.

Propylene glycol is one of the worst offenders as it is used as an anti-freeze for cars.

While humectants may be your a friend to your skin (your hair too), they are most effective in your skin care products during the warm months of the year.

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